Chief Apostle Samuel Demetrius James, II was called into the Gospel Ministry of Jesus Christ at an early age. In 1947, a serpent was prepared to take the Apostle’s life before this great ministry could come forth, but God, through Mother James, intervened just in time to snatch young Samuel away by his shirttail from the venomous strike. Guardian Angels were with him all his life. He delivered his first message at the Emerson Street Church of God in Christ, Montgomery, Alabama in revival with Elder Abraham Isaac Jacob Swanson. He was reading the bible at age three.  He evangelized in Cleveland, Ohio at age four.  At age seven, he was licensed to preach and teach the Gospel and began traveling as an evangelist on Trailway and Greyhound buses to various places.

Chief Apostle James became a proficient child evangelist by age 12 under the tutorship of Prince Fred L. Davis of Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ. Apostle James pastored his first church by appointment in Greenville, Alabama at age 17 and was ordained at age 18 by Bishop J. E. Townsend with whom he also traveled, was taught in the prophetic ways, and was brought to the Junior Bishopric. He was affirmed a Prophet at age 19.

Chief Apostle James is the founder of Evangelistic Pentecostal Churches (Worldwide), Inc.  and The S.D. James Evangelistic Association, Inc. where he stood as Senior Bishop and Chief Executive Officer, respectively. He was also Editor-in-Chief of Open Door Publications/Outreach Magazine and author of over 200 books, transcripts & periodicals. On Sunday, November 15, 2020, Chief Apostle S.D. James transitioned from labor to reward, leaving behind an indelible legacy that will be honored by generations to come.